Participate in APLU’s Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Designation Program

APLU is currently accepting letters of intent from presidents and chancellors of institutions of higher education interested in pursuing the Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Designation. The program recognizes universities with a demonstrated institutional commitment to spurring and promoting regional economic development. Applications are due October 29.

Participating institutions collaborate across campus and with off-campus stakeholders to assess their strengths and growth areas across their economic engagement enterprise all while engaging in a community of practice with peer institutions across North America. The program helps universities advance their strategy and practice across the three components of “economic engagement.”

• Talent and workforce development
• Innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech-based economic development
• Place development via public outreach, Cooperative Extension, and community engagement

IEP designees have derived a great deal of substantive outcomes from their IEP work, including enhancing economic development units, strategic plans, communication, advocacy, and public affairs efforts, among others.

Institutions that earn the designation are then eligible to apply for APLU’s IEP Universities Awards, which recognizes specific projects and initiatives in the categories of talent and workforce development; innovation and entrepreneurship; and place development through social, cultural and community engagement. IEP designees are also engaged in research and projects undertaken by APLU to maximize the economic and societal impact of universities.

Full details regarding steps to participate in the program can be found here. There is no cost to participate for APLU member institutions. Non-APLU member institutions must pay a participation fee dependent on enrollment size of the institution.

Contact APLU’s Abigail Robbins at iep@aplu.org to set up a meeting to discuss institutional goals and hear more about IEP’s impact on peer institutions.